Kristina O’Connor, Program Facilitator, Plainfield Correctional Facility and Indiana Prison Writers Workshop Board Member
Kristina O’Connor writes fiction and nonfiction, and has been writing since childhood. Her stories explore humanity, arts, and social justice. She has over 10 years’ experience as a social worker and registered nurse working with at risk populations, including senior citizens and underserved adults with physical disabilities and mental illness. She wears many hats: full-time nurse, wife, and mother, as well as participating in a women’s writing workshop. She is a volunteer instructor for Indiana Prison Writers Workshop, shaping curriculum and mentoring incarcerated men at Plainfield correctional facility as they find their unique voice and share their stories.
Tiffany Leininger, Program Facilitator, Putnamville Correctional Facility
Tiffany Leininger has been volunteering within the Indiana Department of Corrections for six years. She is currently a volunteer instructor with the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop at Putnamville Correctional Facility. She is also an instructor for Navigator’s Bible Telling at Rockville Correctional Facility for Women and the Indiana Women’s Prison. In addition to volunteering in the prison system, she serves at her church in the student ministry as a group leader, and also works as a volunteer with hospice. Tiffany has a degree in education and is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature / Institute for Writers. She is a writer and published author. Her work includes fiction and nonfiction for children and faith-based nonfiction for adults. She has a passion for working with incarcerated men and women and is excited to be utilizing her skills as a writer to help prisoners find hope and healing through their own writing.
Branden Ackerson, Contributing Writer
Branden Ackerson spent 18 years incarcerated and lends his expertise as a frequent contributing writer to the IPWW blog. He hopes to one day mentor others who are struggling in the criminal justice system.
Andrew Lee, Indiana Prison Writers Workshop Board Member
Volunteer, strategic visionary, passionate about social justice.
Yadin Kol, artist at Yadin Kol Music, guitarist, singer, songwriter
Yadin Kol is a captivating guitarist, singer, and songwriter who began his music career in February of 2016. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA as Justin Holloman, he eventually became aware of the translation of his name into Hebrew, and adopted it as his own. Yadin Kol means “God is Judge of All.” As a passionate and soulful performer Yadin takes listeners on a musical journey where love and faith balance the ills and injustices of society. By virtue of being raised in the household of a life-long educator, Yadin did not take the traditional route to becoming an artist. In music, however, he discovered a passion that knows no equal. He believes music lives and breathes just as we do, and is a source of liberation and serenity for all. Learn more here.